Wealmoor Ltd has announced with great sadness the passing of its founder and chairman Rati Dhanani, who died on the afternoon of Sunday 25 April.
Mr Dhanani established the UK-based exotics specialist in 1973, identifying the potential market for exotic produce in the UK and the need to expand sources outside of Kenya, with the business subsequently growing and evolving rapidly.
Coming from a background of Kenyan horticultural exports in the 1960s, Mr Dhanani established Kenya Horticultural Exporters with his business partner Shambhubhai Patel in the wake of Kenya's independence, and an airfreight market for beans and exotic vegetables in the UK. This was closely followed by his introduction and commercial development of mangoes, papayas and other exotic fruits.
While horticulture was Mr Dhanani's passion throughout his life, he will be remembered as more than a businessman by customers and grower partners worldwide, with involvement in charitable projects across the UK, India and Africa.
'Brought up in Kenya and India, Rati was acutely aware of the power of agriculture to empower and develop communities,' a Wealmoor statement read. 'He established a philosophy at the heart of the business of responsible trade and practical support to very many projects for good over the years.
'Rati will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by the many and varied people he encountered during his lifetime,' the group added.
No comments yet